Looking for a little more excitement and solitude? Trying to escape the tourists and crowds? You may be interested in taking a backpacking journey through Bryce Canyon’s captivating backcountry! The backcountry in Bryce Canyon is quite a beautiful experience and a hidden gem. Not many people take the opportunity to get out and away from the more popular tourist destinations or hiking spots due to lack of knowledge of the area. Luckily Bryce Canyon’s park service has made this a little easier and offers maps and more for those who are interested in purchasing a backcountry permit to explore the area better. There are two main backcountry trails, Riggs Spring Loop and Under The Rim Trail. The most sought after however is Under The Rim Trail due to it’s intensity and length.

Bryce Backcountry Information

There is a backcountry fee os $5 per persons ages 16+.

Permits must be purchased for all overnight stays.

Advance reservations are not accepted, only 48 hours before and must be made at the visitor center.

There are four backcountry trails that are broken down from Under The Rim Trail and total about 30.1 miles all together.

Bryce Point – Swamp Canyon (11.6 mi.)

Swamp Canyon – Whiteman (3.6 mi.)

Whiteman – Augua Canyon (7.0 mi.)

Augua Canyon – Rainbow Point (7.9 mi)

You can choose to hike the entire distance and bring along with you the proper backpacking supplies, or simply use one of the segmented trails as a day hike. However, you will not quite get the same experience as if you were to take on the entire Under The Rim Trail. As stated above not many people know of, or dare to explore this entire length of backcountry and therefore miss out on the spectacular beauty and sights that it offers. On the plus side though, for those who do decide to explore the entire trail, it is much less crowded and offers a lot more to explore and be seen. Luckily you can make this hike as long or short as you desire, as each trail that is segmented offers a separate access trail to the and from the main highway.

Preparation

If you are planning a backpacking trip, then one of the most important things you will need to do, is prepare you mind and body for the excursion. This is not something that you can simply just jump into as a beginner and expect to conquer. Backpacking in backcountry is rigorous and very strenuous. Not only can it be hard on your body, but it can be mentally challenging as well. You will want as much practice and preparation as possible before you take on a long backpacking trip. Here are some tips to follow beforehand:

Condition your body for the trip

Let friends and family know your itinerary and when you plan to be back

Plan ahead of time for any possible emergencies

Take weekend/over night camp trips in isolated places

Practice using all your gear and emergency equipment

Break in your hiking boots

Practice backcountry etiquette

Learn to dig a cathole

Camping

The Under The Rim Trail is Bryce Canyon’s longest backpacking trail in the park, and it will take hikers through 8 total campsites on their way from one end to the other. You are allowed to only camp in the designated areas, and make sure to leave no trace of your visit. Campsites are first come first serve.

Pack List

When exploring the backcountry of Bryce Canyon, there are certain things that you will need to be able to not only survive, but to be able to make the trip and fun and comfortable as possible. More than often, people will find themselves out in the wilderness and realize they have forgotten something they should have brought, or worse they are in a sticky situation and do not have the proper equipment and gear to help them. It is so important to make sure that you have all the proper necessities before going into the backcountry. Here is a list of the main things you will want to pack on your trip:

Backpack

This is going to be your best friend and your enemy on a backpacking trip. It is important that you find a backpack that is right for you and fits your body well. The reason this will be both your saving grace and your enemy, is because it will carry most if not all of your necessities, all while being carried on your back. So you really want to make sure you choose the best suitable pack for your trip.

Gear

The second most important thing to pack is your gear. You want to make sure that you take the right equipment to match your needs for your trip. The following are going to be the most important:

Navigation

Backcountry can be fairly easy to get lost in, although Bryce’s backcountry trails are slightly more maintained it can still get pretty rough and you will want some sort of navigation to find your way from one point to the next. GPS, Maps, etc. will be very helpful when hiking in the backcountry of Bryce Canyon.

Appropriate Attire

When hiking the backcountry in Bryce, you will want to make sure that you check the weather report ahead of time. Depending on the time of year and weather conditions, you will want to wear the appropriate attire accordingly.

Fall – Winter

October to January are the more chilly months of the year, temperatures during this time range from 15F-50F depending on the time of day time of year. December tends to be the most cold month out of the year and snowfall in common here. During these times, it is important to wear warmer clothing. Wool socks, heavy winter coats, long johns, gloves, hat, face protection. Make sure that the attire you bring for this time of year will protect you from the elements.

Spring – Summer

February to September are considered the spring through summer months. During the early spring time it can still get fairly cold, especially at night, so be sure to wear or bring extra layers of clothing that can be easily added or removed depending on the weather an temperatures. During id summer, you will want to wear cooler clothes but still protect your skin from sunburns, bug bites, etc. To do this it’d best to bring with you some bug spray as well as sunblock. The purpose of the right attire is to protect yourself from the elements of nature in this area.

Appropriate Shoes

This may seem like one of those “common sense” things, however, you would be surprised to hear that many people do not wear the appropriate footwear for hiking backcountry in Bryce. This is very important to avoid several things including but not limited to; sprained ankles, blisters, poor grip and more. It’s important to wear a shoe with a good grip for scaling obstacles or rock formations, it is also highly recommended to wear shoes that cover your entire foot. Some prefer to wear hiking sandals, which is not a bad choice for those who are more experience hikers. Although more comfortable, it is much ore likely to get sunburns on your feet, stubbed toes and much more when you choose to wear sandals. Hiking boots are your best bet and the most common, comfortable and safe show to wear while hiking backcountry.

Camping, hiking, boating, fishing and fun! Pine Lake Recreational Area is a great place to relax and enjoy the stunning scenery around you. Surrounded by a good mixture of Ponderosa Pines and Spruce that are reflected of the crystal blue lake as you sit in your camp chair on the bank and sip some coffee waiting for your next catch. Sounds like a dream right? Well it can be reality and its located only a short 28 minutes from Bryce Canyon!

Special Deals For Bryce Canyon

Check out the exclusive offers (you really won’t find these ANYWHERE else!) and get the deals that will make your fill your trip without emptying your wallet. Check out the exclusive offers (you really won’t find these ANYWHERE else!) and get the deals that will make your fill your trip without emptying your wallet. Check out the exclusive offers (you really won’t find these ANYWHERE else!) and get the deals that will make your fill your trip without emptying your wallet.

Zipline near Bryce Canyon

Zip Line 350 feet above the ground on over 2500 feet of zipline routes! Speeds up to 35 mph have you soaring through the air above the canyons of Southern Utah! Kanab Zipline is an amazing experience for all ages. Starting high above on the Vermilion Cliffs overlooking Kanab with views of the Grand Canyon North Rim, and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. You will ride from zip line to zip line crossing over large canyons as you make your way down the front of the Vermilion Cliffs.

On top of the fact that you get to experience the thrill of a zipline, we take you in a 4×4 shuttle to the Kanab Zipline Launch Camp on top of the mountain!

A quick 1 hour scenic drive will get you from Bryce Canyon National Park to Kanab for the zipline trip of a lifetime. Visit our Packages for more details about zipline tour start times, lunch/dinner packages and special events. The average tour, from pick-up to drop off, is approximately between 2 and 2.5 hours long. Tours are by reservation only, call to reserve your spot today!

Kanab Zipline is open to the public 7 days a week from 7 AM to 9 PM (seasonal). We are happy to provide guest shuttle services to and from all the hotels in Kanab. Our tours fill up fast, call to schedule your reservations and come ready for the time of your life! Group and family rates are available.

Wildlife In Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon is known for its incredible geology and sweeping vistas, but equally impressive are the plants and animals that make the uplifted plateaus of Utah such a unique environment. Surrounded by deserts, these highlands get much more rain than the lowlands below and stay cooler during hot summers. The relatively lush ecosystems that result are like fertile islands towering above a vast arid landscape.

Mammals

To see animals of the Bryce Canyon Area, Click Here!

What is a mammal? Webster’s Dictionary defines a mammal as…”any of a class of higher vertebrates comprising man and all other animals that nourish their young with milk secreted by the mammary glands and have the skin usually more or less covered with hair.”

What mammals can be seen in Bryce Canyon National Park? We have chipmunks, squirrels, prairie dogs, mountain lions, pronghorn sheep, coyotes, gray foxes, bats, mice, and many more animals classified as mammals.

Birds

The three most common birds found in the park are the Peregrine Falcon, California Condor and the Clark’s Nutcracker.

Insects

Ants are some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. Something like ten thousand trillion ants control vast stretches of territory on planet earth. Their success lies in cooperation. They are a social insect, living in often enormous colonies, coordinating their activities to an exceptional degree to achieve domination.

These are aggressive and capable critters, ones whose existence is characterized by continuous work and conflict. In many places they are the dominate insect, and usually displace solitary insects (those that live and forage alone and not in social groups) to less favorable habitat or eat them.

Trees – Conifers

What are conifers?…The name “conifer” is derived from the Latin word which means “to bear cones.” Cones, the fruiting body which produces the seeds of the tree, are common features of most conifers, with the exception of junipers and yews which produce berry-like fruit.

How do I identify a conifer?…The best way is to look at the leaves. Does the tree have linear, needle-like or scale-like leaves? Conifers are usually evergreens although they still shed their older foliage on various annual cycles. The larch and cypress are deciduous, shedding their leaves annually in the fall.

Are there many conifer species (types)?…More than 500 conifer species have been identified worldwide.

Do all conifers look about the same? Are they the same size and color?…Among the conifers can be found some of the largest, smallest and oldest living woody plants known to mankind. There is an astounding amount of diversity in the conifer world. Some conifers grow into huge forests which are harvested for their timber and others are admired for their adaptability and color variations for the household garden. Overall, they vary in textures from soft and fluffy to rigid or majestic. The wide range of greens, blues and golden yellows paint a colorful landscape wherever conifers grow.

What are the names of the different conifers found in Bryce Canyon National Park?…In the Park you can find pines, junipers, firs, spruces, cedars and Douglas fir.

Ecology

Biological soil crusts, or more commonly called Cryptobiotic soil or Cryptogamic soil, occur on every continent and in nearly every environment. However, they are most commonly found in arid or desert environments. In the high deserts of the Colorado plateau (i.e. the Four Corners region), biological soil crusts can cover up to 70-80% of the ground cover.

Health & Safety

Every time you go to a National Park, you probably hear the same thing: “Don’t feed the animals.” Why do we say that? What harm could a pretzel or apple slice do to a deer or a chipmunk? Too often, it is not an apple slice, but salted peanuts or chips whose high sodium content is poisonous to an animal’s system. Those kinds of food are not healthy for people, how much less for an animal whose diet is supposed to consist of berries, flowers, and insects? Also, the animals become dependent on people as a food source and lose their ability to successfully forage when they have been raised begging for human food.

Although human food can and does harm the animals for a variety of reasons, the reason we ask you not to feed them is for the safety of humans as much as of the animals. In Bryce Canyon, there are two major hazards to humans associated with feeding the animals, specifically ground squirrels, chipmunks, and prairie dogs. First, the animals frequently bite people when they are hand feeding them, or especially when they try to touch the animal without food in their hand. Hantavirus is a disease which has received considerable publicity in southern Utah because several people have died from it recently. One of the ways it is transmitted is through the infected animal’s saliva–by being bitten. It is also transmitted by inhaling or touching dust in which infected animals have urinated or defecated, as the virus is viable in that matter for about three days. Since that dust could be on the animal’s fur, touching the animal is another potential way to obtain the disease. Currently there is no cure for Hantavirus, but if extreme flu like symptoms develop after association with these animals, contact a physician for the available treatment.

Rabies is another disease which is transmitted through an animal bite, which many more animals than just small rodents could carry. Beware of any ringtail cat, rodents, foxes, or other animals who appear extremely sluggish or have strange secretions from their mouth or eyes. Report any abnormal behavior to a ranger.

Secondly, there is a threat of disease to people who are obeying the rules and not feeding the animals when other people have fed them. Bubonic Plague, or as some know it, the Black Plague, has been known to infect our prairie dog population from time to time. A type of flea that lives on small rodents (i.e. prairie dogs, ground squirrels, chipmunks) transmits this disease. When people have fed the animals and taught them that people are their food source, that it is all right to crawl on a person’s leg because they will be rewarded with food, those people might actually be responsible for killing another person down the road. It is common for people to be mobbed by ground squirrels hoping to be fed when they go to a view point, even if the person has no intention of feeding them. If those animals have the fleas infected with Bubonic Plague, the fleas could potentially jump on the person and give them the disease. Fortunately, Bubonic Plague can be cured if caught soon enough, but it is a painful experience.

Even with the potential for all these diseases, you can still come to Bryce Canyon and enjoy a safe visit. The old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” should be remembered. You can prevent coming in contact with diseases if you do not feed or touch the animals, and make sure that your children stay away from them also. If the animals approach you begging for food, simply ignore them, or chase them off if they get too close. Remember, the animals would never beg for people food if people did not teach them to. So please do your part to ensure the health of the animals, yourself, and other visitors down the road by not feeding the animals.

Rappelling In Bryce Canyon

With the rugged, rugged and vast red rock canyons of Bryce Canyon and Zion within just an hour drive of each other, you are in the heart of Rock Climbing and Rappelling country! In fact, these two are considered some of the best places in the U.S. to Rappel and Rock Climb with the best majestic scenery as just icing on the cake. With the diversity and extreme nature of both Bryce and Zion Canyons at your fingertips, why not give it a try?

Canyoneering is something that people come to Southern Utah and specifically Bryce Canyon for. It is a passion for the outdoors and a true feeling of being part of something much bigger than you that propels avid Climbers forward. It is a personal challenge to achieve goals and climbs that keeps people coming back to the area and with so many to choose from where do you start? With so much country to climb and all of this in the beauty of these National Parks, where does this amazing journey start! If you would like good advice from local guides and climbing shops please contact Zion Mountain Rock Guides: ://www.zionrockguides.com These guides have the best knowledge and experience around, and will take care of you and you rappelling and rock climbing needs. No matter your experience level these guides can take care of you and help your accomplish your goals. If it permits you need, they can help you out with that.

When even thinking about coming to these areas for Canyoneering no matter your experience level it is always a great idea to check with the parks as well local climbing shops for area info. Please remember that even when the slots canyons of Southern Utah are open they are extremely dangerous. There is flash flood through Southern Utah during summer monsoons that take lives every year. It always the best idea to check out all local weather forecasts, including areas within 30-45 miles of your destination. Having the correct gear for Rappelling and Rock Climbing in Bryce Canyon is just one part of it. Making sure that Mother Nature is on your side is a bigger factor in having a great experience in these national parks.

Rappelling Companies In Bryce Canyon

Zion Rock & Mountain Guides Offering “the most comprehensive guide service in Southern Utah,” Zion Rock & Mountain Guides provides great guided tours and other resources created and run by experienced outdoor professionals who are passionate about Zion National Park.

Hunting In Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon Area Hunting Guides

Although, Hunting is outlawed inside of Bryce Canyon National Park, outside of the park boundaries you can find an abundance of western wildlife living on the Paunsaugunt Plateau unit. This area is located in Kane and Garfield County, Utah and is one of the best western big game units in the United State for many species. This area is home to; Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Antelope, Black Bear, Cougar, as well as many game birds including Pheasant, chucker, pine hen and many more. To view a great hunting map of Paunsaugunt Plateau unit please visit: http://wildlife.utah.gov/maps/public/details_boundary.php?boundary_id=163

This Big Game hunting unit is most commonly known for its Trophy Mule Deer and its higher quality of the species. The most common time you can view these deer is the first hour of each day and the last hour of light. This is when these animals typically look for food and water, before going for thick cover. Looking near water sources is always a great idea when out scouting for Mule Deer and most Big Game animals during the spring, summer and fall months. Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources claims that there is around 35 Buck to 100 Does, so there is a great ratio of Bucks as compared to most regions.

Hunting on the Paunsaugunt Plateau can be challenging for many reason including the 7,000-9,000 feet (2,100-2,800 m) elevation change. There is a thick Pine, Juniper, and Cedar tree cover that blankets most of the entire unit. With the thickness of cover and the abundance of water sources these animals are in a great survival habitat. There is a couple main water sources that are always a great start for view these animals including Tropic reservoir (on top of the Plateau) and The Sevier River which runs the entire length of the Paunsaugunt unit. This hunting unit because of it elevation averages about 200 inches (5,100 mm) of snowfall per year and has at least 200 days in which the temperatures drop below freezing.

What will make your big game hunting or viewing a better experience? First, having the correct equipment, a good pair of 10X40 binoculars with you or spotting scope will help you to not only find these animals, but it will give you a much close look at them. Being pre-paired for all kinds of weather, including, rain, snow, and sunshine will make the game of patients much more comfortable. Do not make it harder than it needs to be, look for animals around water and food sources. There are creeks spread all through the Plateau that run year round. These creeks can be found in almost every Canyon and include such names as; Blue Fly Creek, Blubber Creek, Kanab and North fork of Kanab creek. A vehicle with 4-wheel drive will greatly increase your odds viewing of animals by being able to cover a lot of ground. Most of the dirt roads on the Paunsaugunt are maintained regularly but do to high traffic and weather the roads can get muddy or snow covered in just a few minutes. Another options is to set up trail cameras. Many hunters and guide service are now relying on Trail Cameras to figure out what animals are in the area and get their eating and drinking patterns figured out. These cameras are generally hung on trees near heavily trafficked water and food sources as well as game trails.

To research out how you can acquire a hunting tags for the abundance of Big game and bird specifies that calls the Bryce Canyon area home please visit Utah’s DNR website: http://wildlife.utah.gov

If you are lucky enough to acquire a Big Game permit through the Utah Big Game draw or landowner tag or action, looking into a guide service is not a bad idea. This is a very tough unit to learn but the rewards of it can make memories for a lifetime!

BRYCE CANYON AREA WEATHER

If you have never been to Bryce Canyon National Park, it is always a great idea to research out, and look into the seasonal weather conditions. Averages temperatures you will be experiencing while vacationing in Bryce Canyon National Park can vary drastically throughout the year. Bryce Canyon is in in the heart of South Central Utah, which has some extreme variance in weather depending on the current times of year and weather patterns. Bryce Canyon is much higher in elevation so temperatures can swing fast when cold fronts come in.

Visitors can enjoy Bryce Canyon’s mild weather during any season. Summer days in Bryce are pleasant and nights are cool at 8,000-9,000 feet. July is the warmest month, with an average daytime high temperature of 83 degrees and a nighttime low of 47 degrees. Much of the area’s precipitation comes as afternoon thundershowers during mid to late summer. Spring and fall weather is highly variable.

Cold winter days are offset by high altitude sun and dry climate. Winter nights are subfreezing. During some winters, Alaskan cold fronts descend on the Colorado Plateau region bringing temperatures as low as 30 degrees below zero. Although March is the snowiest month, the area can have snowstorms from October through April. Annual snowfall averages 95 inches, giving you the change for the greatest for cross-country skiing and sledding in Utah’s world famous snow!

The high altitude sun can burn in any season– hats and sunscreen are recommended all year! Layered clothing is good preparation for the plateau’s temperature extremes and frequent strong winds. Boots with good tread and ankle support are strongly recommended when you want to adventure on Bryce Canyon’s Hiking Trails.

Summer Weather in Bryce In the summer months (June- September), it can be moderately hot with low humidity making it feel hotter than you actually think it is. Bryce is much higher in elevation and is considered the high dessert mountains so the UV rays are much more intense, so sunscreen is a great idea for outdoor recreating. These are some things to think about when planning your trip to this park. The highest recorded temperature in Bryce was 98 degrees F. in 2002. July is always the hottest month of the year in the park, but it still cools down a lot in the evenings through mid morning. Summer is the time of year when Bryce Canyon generally receives the maximum average number of visitors.

Winter Weather in Bryce Canyon Bryce Canyon during winter months (November- February), the park is slower but it is still open and draws many visitors for winter activities. The lowest recorded temperature in the park was -26 Degrees F. in 1963. Winter months typically have snow on the ground and are extremely chilly. December is the coldest month out of the year in Bryce Canyon.

Spring and Fall Weather in Bryce Canyon Spring and Fall in Bryce Canyon are on the cooler to mildly warm side, but make no mistake a good jacket or coat is a great idea. In the spring you will see run off and snow melt from the higher elevation mountains that surround Bryce Canyon. In fall it is not surprising to see occasional snow storms in the earlier months of the year due to its high elevation.

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